Zeng Xianglin really gave Peng Fangming an official position, an eighth-rank official position, which was not high, but as a starting point for entering the officialdom, it was not low.
That night Shaoyao brought back Yu Weiwei's letter.
Gu Yanxi came over and asked, "What did you say?"
Hua Zhi handed the letter over and opened the map.
After taking a few glances, Gu Yanxi walked over to Azhi, and both of them looked at the place name Xinyi.
"Xinyi ranks third among the places where the Yu family's boats go most frequently."
Xinyi is in Yizhou, close to the Jiaxing River. Because Xinyi and the surrounding areas are close to the river, people are accustomed to traveling by boat. For a county town, Xinyi is good in all aspects. However, because it is located in the west and is limited by its geographical location, there are not many outsiders. At most, it is convenient for local people.
But the Jiaxing River merges into the Yuanjiang River here. The source of the Yuanjiang River is in the northwest, and it flows east after reaching the west.
Hua Zhi placed her slender index finger on the map. Starting from Xinyi, it passed through Yongzhou, Yuzhou, Jizhou, entered Yanzhou, and then flowed into the sea from here.
There was obviously a simpler route to Yanzhou, but who would have thought that they would take such a big detour. If Yu Weiwei hadn't discovered that the best sightline for Qi Qiu when looking at the map was Xinyi, and found a black dot on the map at the location of Xinyi, like a fingerprint that was pressed accidentally, they would never have thought in this direction. After all, Xinyi was in the west, and the Chaoli tribe's territory was in the east.
"Where will it be?" Hua Zhi pointed at three suspicious places in Yanzhou: Lingui, Pengkou and Songzhu.
"We can find it if we know the direction, Wang Hai."
Wang Hai came in and said, "I'm here."
"Go to Xinyi and see if their ship has unloaded the cargo there, then reload it and sail back into Yuanjiang to Yanzhou."
"yes."
Zeng Xianglin was not idle during the waiting time. A few days after Peng Fangming entered the officialdom, he made his intentions very directly and rudely clear. Either the casino business was handed over, or the evidence of collusion between the Peng family and the Chaoli clan would be revealed to the world.
Gu Yanxi was so angry that she almost laughed. This was what it meant when the thief cried thief!
"Although it's rough, it's a straight punch that can hurt people." Hua Zhi was also surprised that Zeng Xianglin would do this. This was equivalent to exposing himself. Once the Chen family found an opportunity, they would definitely bite back hard.
Hua Zhi frowned, "Why do I feel that this is not Zeng Xianglin's style?"
Gu Yanxi nodded slightly, "I think so too. They are far from the end of their rope, but Zeng Xianglin has shown that he is going to do whatever he wants. With his personality, he would not do this even if he has reached the last step."
"I thought I was overthinking it. Is it possible that... he knew that there was someone behind Peng Fangming, so he dragged that person into the water in this way? After all, once you get your shoes wet, you can't get them clean."
"That's not impossible. I'll have someone investigate further."
Wang Hai returned before the city gates were closed five days later. He followed the boat and rode back on horseback, traveling day and night. Even with his healthy body, he could hardly stand.
Shaoyao hurriedly checked him over, and then let Baoxiashang eat and drink. After he drank the hot tea and hot food, he felt better.
"Master, you guessed it right. Their ship unloaded the cargo in Xinyi, and then boarded a large ship from Xinyi and left from Yuanjiang. I arranged for someone to board the ship."
"Immediately arrange for someone to follow up and provide support, and leave marks on the dock along the way."
"yes."
"Go down."
Wang Hai took his leave and left.
Gu Yanxi turned around, looking serious, "Azhi, it's time for you to return to Beijing."
"Are we going to close the net here?"
"Yes, after finishing things here, I need to rush to Yanzhou."
Hua Zhi tilted her head, "Are you worried that I'll be implicated?"
"I don't want you to get hurt any more." Gu Yanxi came over and squatted in front of her. "Zeng Xianglin will not surrender. With his intelligence, he may doubt you. If he threatens you with Yu Weiwei, what will you do? It's better to leave early to avoid this possibility. What do you think?"
"Will Yu Weiwei be okay?"
"It'll be fine. To Zeng Xianglin, she's not important at all if she can't be used to restrain you."
Hua Zhi thought about it and nodded, "I will go say goodbye to them tomorrow and leave the day after tomorrow."
Gu Yanxi smiled and laid her head on Ah Zhi's knees, her whole body radiating tenderness. "It may take me some time to go back. Be careful in the capital. Try to go out as little as possible on weekdays. If you go out, be sure to bring more people with you."
"good."
"I will be back as soon as possible. Wait for me to go to the North together."
"good."
"Take your medicine well, take good care of your body, and don't lose weight anymore."
"good."
"Think of me."
"Okay." After a pause, Hua Zhi continued, "I will remember you. Your opponent this time is the Chaoli tribe. You must be careful. Two fists cannot beat four hands. Even if they have a wise man, there is only one. Not all of them will suddenly become wise. I am a little worried that they have studied you and know how to deal with you. Be careful."
"Okay." Gu Yanxi raised his head and smiled at her, raised his hand and touched her face. They had been apart for so many times, but he still wasn't used to it and still couldn't bear to let her go. He was worried that she wouldn't eat well, that she wouldn't sleep well, that she would be bullied, that her health would deteriorate again...
Ever since he realized his feelings, being with Ah Zhi was the place he wanted to be most.
I don't want to leave at all.
It will be soon. As long as we get through the crisis in Daqing, such a day will be possible.
As long as we deal with the Chaoli tribe!
Thinking of this, Gu Yanxi was suddenly full of fighting spirit. Although Daqing's national strength had declined, some things were much better than in the Taizu era. At least they were not so short of weapons that they could only carry the hoe they used to dig fields at home to fight the enemy.
The next day, Hua Zhi went to the house one last time. No one was surprised to know that she was leaving. After all, she just came here to have fun, and she would leave when she had enough fun. They were more concerned about whether she would come again. They really thought that this person was a nice person and were willing to interact with her.
"See, I'll come if I have the chance. The capital isn't too far from here."
"That's right. It only takes two and a half days by boat. You must come."
No one talked about going to the capital. All their freedom was in Jinyang, and it was impossible for them to travel far away unless they married out. But who would be willing to marry far away from their parents' home
Hua Zhi went to Yu's house again. Yu Weiwei panicked for a moment when she knew she was leaving. But when she saw Hua Ling winking at her, she calmed her pounding heart and said some polite words.
"I don't know if I'll have the chance to come again." Hua Zhi stood up and opened her arms, "Won't you give me a farewell hug?"
Yu Weiwei pursed her lips, walked over and hugged her, "You must come again, I hope I will have the chance to find you too."
Hua Zhi whispered in her ear, "Don't worry," and then told her to remember the word "vegetarian" and to go to the capital to find her if she had the chance.
"Thanks."
Yu Weiwei thanked him in a low voice. There were so many things to thank, but these two words were the only ones she could say.
Hua Zhi hugged her even tighter, "Goodbye."